United Automobile Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain speaks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, August 19, 2024.
Mandel Ngan | AFP | Getty Images
DETROIT — The United Auto Workers union said Monday it had filed federal unfair labor practice charges against Stellantis for allegedly violating contract terms and attempting to move production of the Dodge Durango outside the U.S.
The charges are the latest action the union has taken against Stellantis, which has drawn the ire of UAW leaders for production cuts, layoffs and other actions since the two sides reached a new contract last year.
“In our 2023 contract, we won significant benefits, including a commitment to reopen an idled assembly plant in Belvidere, Illinois, and to build the Dodge Durango in Detroit. We also won the right to strike over those commitments, if necessary,” UAW President Shawn Fain said in a statement. “Now, Stellantis wants to get back on track with the agreement. As a united UAW, we intend to enforce our contract and hold Stellantis to its promise.”
Stellantis, which has delayed plans for the Illinois plant, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The company argued in August that it “has not violated the commitments made in the Investment Charter included in the 2023 UAW Collective Bargaining Agreement and strongly opposes the union's allegations.”
The union said several UAW local chapters encompassing thousands of members have also filed contract grievances over what they allege is the company's attempt to move Dodge Durango production out of the U.S., allegedly in violation of the UAW's national agreement.
The union did not reveal when the attempted relocation occurred or where the company allegedly wanted to move production from Durango.
A UAW spokeswoman cited media reports that the vehicle may have been moved to a plant in Ontario, Canada.
A copy of the latest filing with the National Labor Relations Board provided by the UAW did not mention Durango. It accused the automaker of “refusing to provide the union with relevant information.”
The NLRB upheld the UAW's filing. The union has multiple open charges against several automakers in the U.S.
The UAW said Monday it has more than 24 open grievances against Stellantis regarding the company's products and investment plans disclosed as part of the union's contract with the automaker.
